I grew up on the border and have found myself in "in between"
situations all my life. I enjoy juxtaposition; the clash of
cultures, people, ideas. I lived in Maine for my undergraduate
career and learned so much while I was there about other people and
myself. I decided to come back to Texas after graduating to get a
PhD. Maybe because I didn't know better, but mostly because I love
to learn.

I have a wide range of interests from baking and film to bacteria and genetics. I love learning
new things and being surprised by old things.

I was recently asked who my ideal man would be, my response was
Alton Brown. He has gotten better looking with age, wears amazing
clothes, cooks, is funny, and loves to learn. If you've got all
that going for you, I'm there.

I guess what I want you to come away with from reading this is that
I have a big heart, I'm cute and I really like beards. I can be
deadly serious then burst out laughing in the same sentence.

I am a little ridiculous in a good way, charmingly awkward, and
multicellular.

I am a foxy lady scientist. I am getting my PhD in molecular
biology. I work primarily with bacteria and love to talk about all
kinds of science.
I'm hoping to take a teaching job back in my hometown once I'm done
here and continue having adventures. Like how I randomly switched
from I am to I'm?

Most of the time I'm quoting something... obscure lyrics, books,
films.

I'm also a bit of a crafter. I love baking and have been told that I make the
best vegan baked goods ever.

I have a cute little white dog. I love animals which is probably
why I'm a microbiologist and not one of those scientists that has
to kill things on a regular basis.

Books: I read a lot and still not as much as I wish I could. I'm
always looking for fiction that is engrossing and moves me in some
way. Some old favorites are Bless Me, Ultima, To Kill a
Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, and The Botany of Desire. I
just finished up Gone Girl and I'm looking forward to the film even
though I'm sure Hollywood will muck it up somehow.

Shows: Dr. Who,
Sherlock, Parks
and Rec, The Mindy Project, Arrested Development, Pushing Daisies,
Wonderfalls, and Twin Peaks for starters. Hannibal
is pretty much the best show on television at the moment. I guess I
have a thing for Bryan Fuller too.

I think I'm a Trekkie now. I'm not sure when that happened but it
did.

Music: Explosions in the Sky will
always be my favorite. I also really like indie pop stuff like
Matt and Kim
or groups that are a bit more folksy like Mumford and Sons. I've
been listening to The National and Sarah Jaffe a lot lately. I will
always have a lady crush on Karen O. I used to have a college radio
show and helped run the station which allowed me to meet some
awesome groups like Broken Social Scene and Suburban Kids with
Biblical Names. So, I like hearing new music and rediscovering old
favorites.

Food: I'm a big fan of Thai food and staples like Mexican and
Italian, but I keep an open mind. I'm not a sushi fan though. I
can't get over the texture. I love sweets. I also love saying
croissant. I practically inhale the strawberry half and half
Arizona tea.